How do you get to Fernando de Noronha?

Flights come in from Recife and Natal. The archipelago sits about 220 miles off Brazil's northeast coast.

When should I book Fernando de Noronha?

Well ahead for the August to December high season, because rooms are limited and the island controls how many visitors it takes.

Where should I stay on Fernando de Noronha?

Pousada Maravilha is one of the most polished stays, Pousada Solar dos Ventos has ocean-view bungalows and Pousada Teju-Açu is a design-led eco pousada.

What are the best beaches on Fernando de Noronha?

Baía do Sancho, reached by ladders down a cliff, Praia do Leão where sea turtles nest, Baía dos Porcos with its natural pools, and Cacimba do Padre for surf and the Morro Dois Irmãos view.

Fernando de Noronha Luxury Travel Guide

Q: Are there fees to visit Fernando de Noronha?

Yes. Every visitor pays a daily environmental preservation fee for each day of the stay, plus a separate national marine park fee to visit most beaches.

Fernando de Noronha is what you'd get if you took the Maldives, removed the mega-resorts and added dramatic volcanic cliffs. This UNESCO-listed archipelago, about 220 miles off Brazil's northeast coast, controls how many visitors it takes and charges every visitor a daily environmental fee.

What you get in return is clear, warm water, beaches that regularly top Tripadvisor's world rankings and spinner dolphins that gather in their bay most mornings.

Is Fernando de Noronha worth it for a luxury trip? Yes, if you love quiet. You fly in from Recife or Natal, pay a daily environmental fee plus a marine park fee, and stay in a small pousada like Maravilha. Book early for the August to December high season, and bring your Brazil e-visa.

Key facts

Getting there: flights from Recife and Natal. The archipelago sits about 220 miles off Brazil's northeast coast.
Fees: a daily environmental preservation fee for every day of your stay, plus a separate national marine park fee for most beaches.
Best time to book: well ahead for the August to December high season, because rooms are limited.
Entry: US citizens need a Brazilian visa, and most use the e-visa.
Where to stay: Pousada Maravilha, Pousada Solar dos Ventos or Pousada Teju-Açu.

Photo: Rudney Uezu / Unsplash

Getting There and Staying

Flights come in from Recife and Natal. Every visitor pays the island's environmental preservation fee for each day of the stay, plus a separate national marine park fee to visit most beaches. Rooms are limited, so book well ahead for the August to December high season. US citizens also need a Brazilian visa (most use the e-visa).

Praia da Conceição and the Morro do Pico peak under flowering trees on Fernando de Noronha Photo: Ze Paulo / Unsplash

Where to Stay

Pousada Maravilha: one of the island's most polished stays
Pousada Solar dos Ventos: bungalows with ocean views
Pousada Teju-Açu: a design-led eco pousada

A bungalow terrace with a plunge pool facing Morro Dois Irmãos at Pousada Maravilha Photo: Courtesy of Pousada Maravilha

A bungalow with a canopy bed at Pousada Maravilha on Fernando de Noronha Photo: Courtesy of Pousada Maravilha

The Best Beaches

Baía do Sancho: reached by ladders down a cliff, and a regular winner of Tripadvisor's best beach in the world
Praia do Leão: where sea turtles nest
Baía dos Porcos: natural pools among volcanic rocks
Cacimba do Padre: surf and the classic view of the Morro Dois Irmãos

Baía do Sancho's curved beach and turquoise water seen through trees from the cliff top Photo: Ze Paulo / Unsplash

The twin Morro Dois Irmãos rocks above the turquoise water of Baía dos Porcos, Fernando de Noronha Photo: Ze Paulo / Unsplash

Pair the island with the mainland. My guide to Brazil beyond Carnival covers Rio and the Amazon, and my Bahia guide takes you to Salvador. If Rio is on your list, The Brazil Experience is our hosted week on Copacabana.

Book a free consultation to plan your Noronha escape. You deserve a beach this quiet.

6X Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist with 65+ countries visited across all 7 continents.